We were led to believe that the events of Homecoming take place a few months after Civil War, and we know that Civil War takes place in 2016 thanks to a calendar date that appears in the movie. The clues don’t stop there. There’s a moment in Civil War where Vision refers to Tony Stark’s announcement that he was Iron Man as something that happened eight years ago. This comes with its own problems — that would place Style Soft BlackBordeauxDark Soft Dee Style Brown Iron Manin 2008, not 2011, when Marvel said it took place. Even if we forgive and forget that one Iron Man event, however, Homecoming taking place in 2020 doesn’t work because of how closely it ties into Civil War.

Infinity War kind of sets it straight. There’s a scene where Tony Stark is quipping with Doctor Strange. During their conversation he brings up the attack on New York that happened six years ago. If we operate under the knowledge that The Avengers takes place in 2012, that returns the MCU timeline to its rightful place. Infinity War takes place in 2018, and effectively retconned Homecoming.

I think people like to talk about our long term plans, which we certainly have. But very rarely do those long term plans dictate the specificity of any individual film. It’s usually the opposite. It’s focusing on a story, and focusing on the individual movie that we’re making to do what’s best. And then, if something changes that we weren’t quite expecting down the line because it was made for a better movie, then we deal with it down the line.

At least now people can rest easy knowing that Infinity War takes place in 2018, The Avengers takes place in 2012 and Spider-Man: Homecoming ... takes place.